Ostwald, Susanne

5 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | 04/03/2014

The Oscars are political

With Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, the work of a black director has for the first time won the most important Oscar for best picture. The Academy has decided wisely on several accounts, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: "In spite of reservations about its design and composition, 12 Years a Slave deserves its awards - also for best adapted screenplay and for the fantastic Kenyan supporting actress Lupita Nyong'o - both in terms of its symbolic power and from an artistic point of view. The same goes for the two Oscar-winning actors who starred in the aids drama Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. Their talents are undisputed, and the fact that they were put in the service of an important cause no doubt aided the Academy's decision. A funny film like American Hustle must come away empty-handed, because the Oscars not only have a high profile, they also influence opinion."

Oscar goes to Europe

Three prizes went to Europe at this year's Academy Awards on Sunday evening, with Oscars for the actors Christoph Waltz and Daniel Day-Lewis and the Austrian director Michael Haneke. That's a record, and shows that Hollywood only stands to benefit when it works in tandem with the Old Continent, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: "In these times of disappearing cinemas and dwindling audiences, Hollywood has recognised that it neither can nor wants to live without the European market. For that reason it exports its films early enough to benefit from the media hype created by the Oscars. And it's a win-win situation, because audiences here are also delighted that they can so to speak cast their votes at the Oscar ceremonies with a visit to the cinema. Added to that, since film production is so cheap in some European countries like Germany for example - also thanks to generous subsidies -, a growing number of American filmmakers are seeking to benefit from these advantages, which they don't have at home."

A Swiss Bollywood film

For years now, Indian film teams have used the Swiss Alps as a setting for their Bollywood-style sing-and-dance love movies. But now "Helvetia is striking back", Susanne Ostwald reports. Swiss director Oliver Paulus is shooting "Tandoori Love", a joint production between Switzerland, Austria and India, in the Bernese Oberland. Ostwald visited the film set: "While the story picks up on some elements of the traditional Indian family film - for example the harmonious relations between different generations which are shattered by the arrival of a newcomer - other elements constitute a departure from this kind of film. 'The typical Bollywood mystic interests me less than the colourful confusion of India', Paulus explains. He was particularly interested in culinary aspects. 'I've spent a lot of time in Indian kitchens looking over the cooks' shoulders, hobby cook Paulus recounts over (an Italian) lunch. This is what got him interested in cooking his own Bollywood soup. And this is why the 'Zum Hirschen' guesthouse, which is at the centre of the plot, features Indian statues instead of traditional alpine art. And it's also why there's chicken curry on the menu instead of Mistkratzerli (roast spatchcock)."

Great Britain's commemoration of the abolition of slavery

Great Britain abolished slavery in 1807. Susanne Ostwald says the discussion about how to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition should be led by the general public, rather than the government. "In Great Britain, well known for its common sense, love of freedom, and individualism, it's more difficult to organise and stoke enthusiasm for collective rituals than in other countries... Although the British government has set up an advisory committee to discuss how the upcoming abolition anniversary should be celebrated, it's highly unlikely it will decide to make a full admission of guilt. The hesitant, distant attitude of the British does, however, have its advantages. It facilitates an open public discussion about appropriate words and gestures. Conventional rituals of penitence just don't have the intended emotional impact."

Monarchy and national identity

Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 80th birthday on April 21. Meanwhile, her subjects are in the midst of an identity crisis. Susanne Ostwald writes that since Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown called on the British to celebrate their 'Britishness', the Brits have been asking themselves what exactly there is to celebrate. "Harry Ramsden's fast-food chain, which since 1928 has been market leader in fish and chips and can therefore practically claim to be the nation's main source of nourishment, has passed into Swedish hands. How shocking! Moreover, it gives the Brits yet another reason to sing out their familiar lament: What has become of the land of hope and glory? And who are we, anyway? For there's only one thing the British fear more than their loss of identity, and that's the possibility that they might not possess such a thing in the first place."